1) G7 Summit: Climate Wishlist: During the recent 49th G7 summit, member countries had outlined key milestones in their climate Wishlist in response to ongoing studies and reports that continue to raise alarms about the worsening state of climate change, urging immediate action.
- The G7 emphasized the need for a global peak in emissions by 2025
- The G7 does not set a specific deadline for ending fossil fuel use but commits to accelerating the phase-out of “unabated fossil fuels” in line with 1.5 degree Celsius trajectories
- The G7 reiterates its commitment to achieve net-zero status by 2050 and urges other major economies to do the same
2) Human Pangenome Map: Recently, a new study has been published in the Nature journal describing a Pangenome Reference Map, built using genomes from 47 anonymous individuals (19 men and 28 women), mainly from Africa but also from the Caribbean, Americas, East Asia, and Europe.
- The pangenome, unlike the previous linear reference genome, is represented as a graph. Each chromosome in the pangenome can be imagined as a bamboo stem with nodes.
- These nodes represent stretches of sequences that are similar among all 47 individuals. The internodes between the nodes vary in length and represent genetic variations among individuals from different ancestries.
- To create complete and continuous maps of the chromosomes in the pangenome project, researchers used a technology called long-read DNA sequencing, creating complete and continuous chromosome maps by producing accurate, long DNA strands
- Significance of Pangenome Map: A complete and accurate pangenome map of the human genome can help better understand differences and explain the diversity among individuals. It will also assist in studying genetic variations that contribute to underlying health conditions.
- Drawbacks: However, the current pangenome map lacks representation from diverse populations like Africa, the Indian subcontinent, indigenous groups in Asia and Oceania, and West Asian regions.
3) RBI to Withdraw Rs 2,000 Notes from Circulation: On May 19, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it will withdraw the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation.
- The RBI said that the withdrawal of the 2000 rupees notes is part of its currency management operations.
- The Rs 2000 banknotes were introduced in 2016 to meet the immediate currency requirements after the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes during the demonetization exercise.
- As of March 31, 2023, the value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation has decreased to Rs 3.62 lakh crore, constituting only 10.8% of the total notes in circulation
- The exchange limit for Rs 2000 banknotes is set at Rs 20,000 at a time. Non-account holders can also exchange these banknotes at any bank branch
- Impact: The RBI governor stated that the impact of withdrawal of 2000 rupees notes will be “very very marginal” on the economy because it accounts for only 10.8% of currency in circulation. Some economists said that the withdrawal of the higher-value note is “a sensible form of demonetization” and could boost bank deposits at a time of high credit growth
